Ferraro struggles in Bercy

World number one Juan Carlos Ferrero was pushed all the way by French qualifier Nicolas Mahut before advancing to the third round of the BNP Paribas Masters Series in Bercy tonight.

The 23-year-old Spaniard, looking to extend his four-point lead in the rankings over American rival Andy Roddick, needed longer than expected – 90 minutes – to dispose of Mahut 7-6 (9-7) 6-4.